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What is a security/customer service and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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A security/customer service worker performs a dual role in keeping the store secure and providing customer service. As such, their duties are a combination of security and customer service tasks, such as patrolling the establishment, monitoring for suspicious behavior, answering customer queries, directing customers to the proper aisles, and helping address customer concerns.

Additionally, a security/customer service worker may also monitor CCTV cameras, conduct inspections around the store, respond to distress, call for emergency services, and detain suspects (however, some businesses prohibit their employees from trying to stop suspects for the general safety of everyone).

The minimum qualifications for this role are a high school diploma and a certification as a security worker. Moreover, the job requires good skills in customer service, de-escalation, communication, and problem-solving. The work hours of a security/customer service worker depend on the establishment's business hours, and some may even work graveyard shifts to keep the property secure at night. In terms of salary, a security/customer service worker earns around $16 per hour or $32,000 per year, plus any night differential if they work graveyard shifts.

ScoreSecurity/Customer ServiceUS Average
Salary
2.5

Avg. Salary $32,115

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.6

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
10.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.58%

Asian 6.17%

Black or African American 11.62%

Hispanic or Latino 21.02%

Unknown 5.29%

White 54.32%

Gender

female 33.57%

male 66.43%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
9.4

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Security/customer service career paths

Key steps to become a security/customer service

  1. Explore security/customer service education requirements

    Most common security/customer service degrees

    High School Diploma

    34.0 %

    Bachelor's

    24.8 %

    Associate

    23.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific security/customer service skills

    SkillsPercentages
    ID36.25%
    Patrol11.22%
    Security Services9.88%
    Customer Service8.71%
    Customer Issues5.94%
  3. Complete relevant security/customer service training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New security/customer services learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a security/customer service based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real security/customer service resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming a licensed security/customer service usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you don't need to pass an exam to become a licensed security/customer service in most of states. 30 states require security/customer services to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    StateEducationExamLicense url
    Alabama--Licensed Personal Security Officer
    Maryland--GUARDS
    AlaskaSpecific course required-Security Guard
    ArkansasSpecific course requiredState exam requiredPrivate Security Officer (PSO)
    CaliforniaSpecific course requiredState exam requiredSecurity Guard Registration
  5. Research security/customer service duties and responsibilities

    • Monitor multiple CCTV security cameras.
    • Initiate perimeter patrol and security breach protocol throughout multiple sites to maintain alertness of security personnel.
    • Monitor TSA line for acceptable carry-on (i.e.
    • Enter data into DOD and corporate computer systems.
  6. Prepare your security/customer service resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your security/customer service resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a security/customer service resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable security/customer service resume templates

    Build a professional security/customer service resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your security/customer service resume.
    Security/Customer Service Resume
    Security/Customer Service Resume
    Security/Customer Service Resume
    Security/Customer Service Resume
    Security/Customer Service Resume
    Security/Customer Service Resume
    Security/Customer Service Resume
    Security/Customer Service Resume
    Security/Customer Service Resume
  7. Apply for security/customer service jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a security/customer service job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first security/customer service job

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Average security/customer service salary

The average security/customer service salary in the United States is $32,115 per year or $15 per hour. Security/customer service salaries range between $24,000 and $41,000 per year.

Average security/customer service salary
$32,115 Yearly
$15.44 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do security/customer services rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

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1 star

Security/customer service reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2022
Pros

Meeting a lot of different people have helped people in this job

Cons

The pay is not worth what you have to do sometimes


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2021
Pros

Protecting people and the property where I’m sign at.

Cons

There’s nothing about the officer that I don’t like


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Cons

One sometimes people will not like you but they need a help from you but to me a don't call it anything now because I know the status of the job even in a building I have work in that area as a security guard department with my license from United Arab Emirates.

Pros

Yes because is a job that deal with helping people that your help and there's a wonderful happiness while working properly and helping people at the sometime.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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